Harrop joins Red Bluff City Council pool

Dr. Joe Harrop, Sr. became the third applicant for the open Red Bluff City Council position Wednesday created by the resignation of Robert Sheppard Jr.

The City Council is scheduled to appoint someone to fill the remaining 3-plus years of the term at its Aug. 6 meeting. The deadline for applicants is July 26.

Like the other two applicants, former Councilman Larry Stevens and frequent council attendee Raymond Eliggi, the 73- year-old Harrop is retired.

Harrop has lived in Red Bluff for 40 years, raising three children and five grandchildren with his wife.

Harrop spent 25 years as a school administrator in Tehama County and retired as Dean of Education at Simpson University.

He was previously chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.

Harrop has served on the Committee on Ministry for the Sacramento Presbytery, the Session and Board of Deacons of the Red Bluff Presbyterian Church and as chairman of the Tehama County Special Education Planning area.

Harrop is chairman of the Family Service Agency board. He writes a weekly column for the Daily News' opinion page.

Daily News: How concerned are you about the city of Red Bluff's General Fund reserve? What steps can be taken to strengthen the reserve?

Harrop: I think what we're experiencing is being experienced probably throughout the state if not elsewhere in small towns. What we're dealing with is not unique.

We have to get out of the survival mode and start looking at as many creative ways to consolidate, bring efficiencies and to set our priorities so we don't waste that small reserve that we have now.

I'm fairly confident that as the economy begins to improve and house sales may pick up a little bit and retail sales will pick up a little bit that that reserve will grow.

The main thing is that we want to be very fiscally conservative, but we need to plan ahead. There's a balancing act in doing that.

I've built budgets for schools for 25 years.

We always seemed to face that same issue because state funding is irregular at best even though there are promises and so you have to set your priorities and budget accordingly.

I know they are talking about recombining building and planning departments.

They are talking about doing some other things.

I know we are down in terms of numbers on the police force.

I don't know where we are on the fire department, but those things we have to be very careful about because if we start reducing the things that bring quality of life here that's going to interfere with growing the community.

I also know I have a lot to learn about exactly what is going on at the city level, but I have extensive background in budgeting, human resources, labor relations, personnel administration and bargaining. I think I have some skills that will help the city get through this tough time.

DN: What should the City Council be prioritizing that it currently isn't?

Harrop: I think they're in a reactive mode right now and I think it's the financial situation has put them in that mode. There needs to be a vision to where we want to be as a community.

We have for years for example emphasized the need to make the south entrance to town a welcoming point to people — never been done. We have this wonderful sign on the north part of town that says “Red Bluff A Wonderful Place to Live” and it is a wonderful place to live, but we need to begin to look ahead.

I think that what we do today whether it's the building and planning recombination or reducing force in officers needs to be put in a larger context — where do we want to be in five years.

We need to look beyond the end of our nose.

DN: Speaking of that sign, is Red Bluff still a great place to live?

Harrop: I think it is. We stayed here. We've had options to move both professionally and also to be with our family — our family is spread all over the country.

They went through the school system here, all got into competitive colleges and are living all over the country.

But our friends our here, the community is here. You can walk down the street look people in the eyes and say “hello.” You can pat them on the back if they tell a good joke even if you don't know.

There are some things in our community that have changed with AB 109 — a large amount of low level crime that's in the community these days or apparently in the community based on what you read in the newspaper.

Those are things we as citizens can address with a little energy and a little positive focus.

DN: How important is employee morale?

Harrop: I remember when I was in the service there was this thing we used to say “They'll be no movies until morale improves.”

Morale is important. I know when things are tough employees can feel they are being put upon, but they need to be affirmed they need to be listened to.

There's always common ground that's just important to be able to emphasize that. I know if you turn your back to employee morale, it gets worse.

It's an important ingredient in any organization whether it's a city, a government or a business.

DN: Why should you be appointed to the City Council?

Harrop: I have no agenda other than looking out for the future of Red Bluff. I'm a good listener.

I'm great with numbers. I keep my cool under pressure.

I listen to people respectfully.

I want to live in this community. I want to retire from life in this community.

I think it's time for me to make some additional contributions. I've served in other areas, but it seems to me this would be a time to step in and maybe be able to use some of my training and my background to be useful.

That's my main purpose. I feel like I can be useful and I can be a calming influence and a focusing influence. I understand the role of a board member or councilman.

I think Larry Stevens said it well the other day in his interview. As a person you're just an individual, but when you're on the board you're part of a team.

You may not agree with what the team voted, they may vote 4-1 or 3-2, but once the vote's taken your obligation is to support the decision.

I feel comfortable about doing that.

--------- Rich Greene can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 109 or by email at rgreene@redbluffdailynews.c om.